With the increasing popularity of the electric bike, it is no wonder more and more riders are switching to the electric mode of riding. A mechanical bike will of course never lose its charm but with a world that is advancing on technology, you need to keep up in order to survive. Time is money and for that sole reason, everything seems to be revolving around speed.
Introduction
Take, for example, the elevator, the electric sewing machine, the electric scooter, etc. everything and anything that runs on power works faster and just saves us time thus allowing us to be more productive. Modern gadgets and equipment also make our lives easier by cutting down on physical labor so they are a winner all around. E-bikes are no different; they transport you to places without you having to hustle with the pedals and that too in a fraction of the time it would take you if you were to commute on a traditional bike. E-bikes have powerful motors which are run by batteries, allowing the bikes to move faster and offer smoother rides. However, if you already own a mechanical bike and purchasing an e-bike seems like a waste of money then does not despair because with an electric Bike Kits you can transform your old bike and enjoy all the features of an e-bike on it in no time.
Purchasing a Bike Kits are no big deal but remember you could end up buying the wrong kit as not all kits are the same. You will have to decide between a front wheel, rear wheel or battery kit for the right conversion. We will explain more in our buying guide later in the article. You should need to check out what options you have available.
So without much further ado, here is a review of some of Best Electric Bike Kits in the market.
AW 26″x1.75″ Front Wheel Electric Bicycle Motor Kit 48V 1000W Powerful Motor E-Bike Conversion w/LCD Display
AW has earned a good name in the conversion kit field and the excellent customer reviews say a lot about the quality of their products. Our first Bike Kits are the front wheel kit but if you are more interested in their rear wheel kit, we got that covered in this list too.
The powerful motor works on 48V at 1000W with a 26″x1.75″ wheel. You actually get the whole wheel with the tire, not like some kits that only provide you with the frame. The 1000W motor which applies great power to the front wheel may not seem comfortable at first to those used to normal cycling but it is nothing one cannot get used to. It also comes with a dual mode: Hall Effect/no hall effect, prolonging the life of the bike. With 470rpm and 80% high motor efficiency, we can understand why this is such a popular kit. Any battery with a voltage of 48V and 17Ah, be it lithium, lead-acid or NiMH, will work so you can easily purchase a battery to complete the kit. The anti-slip handlebars offer a comfortable grip while the LCD keeps you updated on time, speed, mileage, gears and battery life. If you wish to pedal you can do so as the kit is equipped with a Pedal Assistance System (PAS).
Pros
Cons
- Brushless motor
- Gives you the unique feel of being pulled forward by the front wheel (this could be a con too)
- Lets you ride in comfort
- Effective and durable
- Some may not like the feeling of being pulled by the front wheel
- Battery and charger needs to be purchased separately
Bafang 8fun Mid Drive Crank Motor 36v 500w 25A BBSO2B
If it is a mid-drive crank that you are looking for, we got the right unit for you. They are independently sold by 8fun but you can find it anywhere. TYRO EV is a popular name in the crank motor industry and you can be satisfied with the brand name and their service.
This is a 36v model that takes 500w with a 25A unit. If we put it simply then this unit is a powerful one.
The shipping weight is around 14 pounds so this is definitely a heavy unit. Can you fit it on a mountain bike? You sure can and most people do it. However, you have to understand that as this is a heavier unit, you will end up increasing the weight of your bicycle and you might also damage the balance level of the unit.
Pros
Cons
- Very powerful
- 500w capacity
- Programmable control panel
- 0 PA mode
- A bit on the costlier end
EbikelingDirect Drive Motor Front Rear Wheel (48V, 1200W)
If you are thinking about converting your bike to an e-bike and if you are not looking to spend a lot of money, eBikeling might be the perfect fit for you.
This is a perfect 700c conversion kit for everyday use. The best part about the unit is that you will get a lot of sizes to choose from. Though the unit is pretty new in the market, it looks promising.
The aluminum double walled rim will make sure that the unit lasts for a long time. You need to replace the tires with this new unit but that shouldn’t be a problem.
One thing that is bad about the unit is that it doesn’t come with a battery or tire. You will have to get those separately.
Pros
Cons
- Different available sizes
- Easy to use & install
- LCD Display
- Battery percentage calculator
- Limited battery capacity
- Battery and tire doesn’t come with the unit
Murtisol Electric E-Bike Motor Kit 26'' Front Wheel/Rear Wheel 36V 500W/48V 1000W Bicycle Motor Conversion Kit
You can choose between a front wheel kit and a rear wheel kit here but we are reviewing the front wheel kit for now. All you need is an hour or less to turn your regular bike into a dynamic e-bike. The brushless hub and 48V 1000W rated motor transform your bike into a powerhouse ready to accelerate uphill carrying you with smoothness and comfort.
Unfortunately, the kit does not include a disc brake or a battery but it works well with lithium, lead-acid and NiMH batteries, lithium being the most preferred kind. A battery bag is included though. Speed can reach 30 mph with a motor rotation of 470rpm. With 80% motor efficiency you can look forward to the great riding experience.
Pros
Cons
- Nice design
- Brushless motor
- 80% motor efficiency
- High speed
- Battery and disc brake not included
JAXPETY 48V 1000W Electric Bicycle Cycle E Bike 26" Front/Rear Wheel Ebike Hub Motor Conversion Kit Hub Motor Wheel
The JAXPETY conversion kit will have you riding at a top speed of 19.88mph with a 750w motor. You will get a front wheel conversion which will also include the tire, not just the frame, with a weight of 16.5 lbs.
The powerful 48V 1000W motor will have your regular bike cruising uphill in style while you enjoy the comfort of riding on your newly found pleasure bike. With an aluminum alloy controller, you can be sure of massive current supply and sparks of energy.
Pros
Cons
- Powerful motor
- Weight 16.5 lbs
- High speed
- No battery pack included
Voilamart Electric Bicycle Wheel Kit 26" Front Wheel 48V 1000W E-Bike Conversion Kit, Cycling Hub Motor with Intelligent Controller and PAS System for Road Bike
When your bike kit comes with a brushless gearless motor you know you will be in for a treat. This dual power mode kit allows you to cruise at a maximum speed of 28 mph with a 48V 750 W motor or at a higher speed of 28 mph with a 48V 1000 W motor, in a snap of a switch. It can carry a maximum load of 150-200 kg while the net weight of the kit is 10kg.
It includes a Nylon tire which fits a 26inch front wheel for a front wheel conversion. You do not need to give up the pleasure of riding a regular bike as the kit comes with a Pedal Assistance System which enables you to enjoy cycling as you drive. It also includes all necessary parts for the conversion such as a motor controller, controller bag, cable ties & plastic coil, twist throttle, a pair of handlebars, a pair of brake handles and an instruction manual to help you get going.
Pros
Cons
- Brushless gearless motor
- High speed
- High load capacity
- Installed with a pedal assistance system
- Need to purchase the battery separately
Murtisol Electric Bicycle Motor Conversion Kit with E-Bike Front/Rear Wheel, LCD Meter Cycling Hub
If you prefer a rear wheel conversion as compared to a front wheel one then you can check out this kit by Murtisol. It comes with a rear wheel to fit 26-inch tire slots and a 48V 1000 W motor which can transform your pedal bike to an electric machine that travels at a top speed of 31 mph.
It works with a 48V Li, Lead-Acid, NiMH Battery (need to purchase separately) and comes with an easy to understand and follow manual which gives you all the information you need to know in order to complete the conversion process without the help of a professional. The only two things that are not included in the kit along with a battery are a battery charger and disc brake.
Pros
Cons
- Rear wheel conversions eliminate the odd drag feeling which you may feel with a front wheel conversion when the motor is too powerful
- High speed
- Easy to install
- No battery, charger or disc brake included
AW 26"x1.75" Rear Wheel Electric Bicycle LCD Display Motor Kit E-Bike Conversion 48V1000W
This is our second e-bike kit by AW on the list, the first being the Front wheel conversion kit which we reviewed earlier. Conversion with a rear wheel helps eliminate the chance of a drag feels especially with a motor as powerful as the one included in this kit.
It gets its impressive power from a 48 V, 1000 W motor which rotates at 470 rpm. With such fast rotation, the motor generates quick power in a very short time. You will never run late as the kit will enable you to storm at a maximum speed of 45km/hr, something you could only dream of with a regular pedal bike.
You will not have to go through the hassle of lubricating the chains as there are no moving parts thus no chance of friction. With a hall/no hall dual mode, you can get your bike to sustain for a longer amount of time and get extra value for the cash spent. You will not have to buy an extra tire as it comes along with the wheel frame. Installation is super smooth and easy and will not take you longer than an hour.
Pros
Cons
- Amazing speed
- Durable parts
- Easy installation
- Powerful motor
- Battery and charger not included
- There have been cases of tube punctures during installation. Requires caution
Bnineteenteam 36V/48V 250W Electric Bicycle Wheel Kit,LED Display 26" Front/Rear Wheel E-Bike Motor Conversion Kit for Road Bike
This rear wheel kit by Bnineteenteam will have you wanting to cruise alongside the cars on the roads as you storm through at a magnificent speed of 25km/hr. The kit consists of a 36/48V 250 W motor, 26’’ rear wheel (tire included), thumb throttle with LED indicator lights, battery power indicator, 2 brake pullers and 2 handlebar grips which ensure you always have a good grip on the bike as you enjoy a fast ride.
No moving chains and gears mean no friction and no need of oiling parts. This saves you time and the extra work of lubricating moving parts when you could be just riding along or running errands in full speed.
Pros
Cons
- Includes everything needed for the conversion (except battery and charger)
- No friction due to no moving parts on a drive system
- Great motor power
- No battery or charger included
- Manual does not caution against some mistakes that could harm the motor
The e-bike motor Hub Motor Electric Bike Conversion Kit
A rear wheel kit with a 72V 3000W motor is sure to send your bike flying. Imagine your regular bike being so motorized with power that it takes you cruising around at a top speed of 72-80km/hr. You can stop imaging and actually feel the pleasure of riding at such speed with the e-bike motor conversion kit.
This model includes a motorized wheel, motor controller, throttle, and brake lever, LCD display to see the battery power level, time, speed, mileage and gear, disc brake and a single speed gear or the 6 or 7 years, depending on what you choose. With big torque, climbing uphill will come as easy as riding on flat terrain.
Pros
Cons
- Amazing speed and power
- Brushless gearless hub motor
- LCD display
- Great speed
- Tire and battery not included
What to Consider When Purchasing a Conversion Kit
It may all seem too good to be true and you may be super excited about having the chance to turn your regular bike into a motorized version of a bike but as we mentioned earlier, there are chances of ending up with the wrong kit if you are not careful. But we are here to solve that problem with a guide that will hopefully help you understand the whole deal better. So let us take a look at what all you need to consider first before you invest in a Bike Kits.
Motor Power
A conversion kit’s main job is to motorize a regular bike. For this, it comes with a motor that has a different power rating. For example, a motor could be of 300W, 500W, 750 W or 1000W and so on. The higher the watt the more powerful it will be. The number of rotations which is measured in rpm also determine the power in which case the number of rotations the better
Reviews
Of course, you will not know for sure how well your bike will perform with the kit but you can get an idea from other users. Online sites always have the option of leaving customer reviews and you could read a few to know what to expect. Remember that all the parts in the kit could be great but performance could be poor. So try finding out what other customers thought of the product before ordering
Speed
Of what good use is a kit if it does not make your bike go real fast? The whole point of a motorized bike is so that you can afford to commute faster even without a car. Even if the speed is not sky-high, it must be decent enough to take you around and run errands without getting late. If your kit includes a speed throttle then that is even better as it will help you control the speed and go faster if you have to.
Quality
You may have to spend a little more cash if you want high-quality products but they will serve you better in the long run. Avoid cheap kits, no matter how much they promise to give you the best service, low-quality items never last and eventually ends up either damaging your bike or being thrown away. Invest in something which you know will give you value for your money, even if the amount is a little high.
Durability
A good quality product will last longer and in the same fashion, you will know a product is made of high-quality materials if it lasts you a long time. Some kits come with warranties which assure you of their quality and durability to some extent but if you are lucky the items will cross their warranty expiry date and still work just fine.
Ease of use
E-bike kits may seem like a lot of work but they are actually very easy to install and use, or they should be. Most kits take less than an hour to install and you can do it on your own with help from the manual that comes along with it. If a kit troubles you during installation then it is sure to trouble you during use and dismantling as well.
Noise
Your bike may run on a motor once it has been converted but that is no reason for it to be noisy. It should be as noise-free as possible.
FAQs
This depends on preference really. Those more used to cycling may prefer the rear wheel kits as they do not come with the unique feeling of being dragged by the front wheel.
If your kit does not come with a battery then it will state what kind of battery it will work with. Use only the recommended kind.
Final thoughts
With a conversion kit, one may easily enjoy the feel of a motor running on a regular bike. If you have a mechanical bike already you may not want to purchase another bike, even if it is an e-bike but with one of these Bike Kits, you can turn your cycle into an e-bike in a matter of an hour at the most. All you really need to do is spare some time and install the kit one time to enjoy endless speedy and powerful rides.
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